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The Borgia Bride

Baker & TaylorComing to Rome to marry the heir to the Borgia dynasty, Sancha of Aragon soon finds herself caught up in the complex conspiracies, intrigues, and cruelty of the Italian Renaissance as she she enters into a cautious friendship with her sensual and infamous sister-in-law, Lucrezia, and falls victim to the ruthless seductions of Cesare. Reader's Guide available. Original. 75,000 first printing.

McMillan Palgrave

Vivacious Sancha of Aragon arrives in Rome newly wed to a member of the notorious Borgia dynasty. Surrounded by the city's opulence and political corruption, she befriends her glamorous and deceitful sister-in-law, Lucrezia, whose jealousy is as legendary as her beauty. Some say Lucrezia has poisoned her rivals, particularly those to whom her handsome brother, Cesare, has given his heart. So when Sancha falls under Cesare's irresistible spell, she must hide her secret or lose her life. Caught in the Borgias' sinister web, she summons her courage and uses her cunning to outwit them at their own game. Vividly interweaving historical detail with fiction, The Borgia Bride is a richly compelling tale of conspiracy, sexual intrigue, loyalty, and drama.

A dangerous seductress...Her ruthless brother...And the spirited and ambitious woman who comes between them.

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If you like scandal, this book is for you. Although this is filled with the highest of taboos, this book manages to maintain beautiful character development and a full, deep plot - it escapes the typical downward spiral to Gossip Girl style (which, although a guilty pleasure of mine, does not count as any kind of serious literature). A very interesting interpretation of the historical events surrounding the mysterious deaths and scandals of the Borgias. Very well written, full of intrigue - historical fiction at its best. A very good read. For the full review, head to my blog at OboeChica Books (so long and thanks for all the fish).

I admit that I knew very little about the Borgia family before I started The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis. I knew they were a powerful family in Renaissance Europe and were involved in many political intrigues and rumoured to be involved in the art of poison.

The Borgia Bride tells the story of Sancha of Aragon, a princess of Naples who is given in marriage to the youngest of the Borgia family, Jofre. He is a number of years younger than she, very weak-willed and timid. She is renown for her beauty and her strong will. They are summoned to Rome to be at the side of his father, Pope Alexander. Sancha immediately has to fight off the advances of Jofre’s father, but at the same time falls under the sway of his handsome older brother Cesare. She also manages to befriend her sister-in-law, Lucrezia, but eventually discovers the true nature of this notorious clan. Incest, murder and intrigue are daily indulgences, and she must learn both cunning and deceit to outmanoeuvre this strong, corrupt family..

I don’t know how correct her portrayal of this family is, but she does write the story within an accurate framework of time. Actual historic events are described and the author weaves her story through these events. Although I never felt emotionally connected to the characters, it was an interesting, titillating story of a sordid yet powerful family.

Scandalous and captivating this delicious historical fiction tale brings the true story of the life and times of the Aragon family of Naples vividly to life. Told in the first person, Sancha of Aragon is the main focus of this story that intertwines with the despotic Borgias and descriptions of court life in Rome in the late 1400s. Their magnetic personalities are as fascinating as the crimes they commit: adultery, incest, murder. I soon found that as despicable as the Borgias were, they held me captive just like Sancha, who found herself fulfilling her destiny and planning her escape.